Attorneys R. Jeffrey Behm and Justin A. Brown recently won a victory in the Vermont Supreme Court for Vermont Gas Systems, Inc. in a case of first impression. At issue was whether the prior public use doctrine prohibited condemnation of a pipeline easement through a public park located in Hinesburg, Vermont. The Court decided that the prior public use doctrine does not apply to prohibit condemnation of a second public use (here, the pipeline) in property already devoted to a public use when that second use does not materially interfere with the existing public use (here, the use of the public park).

Sheehey welcomes Peter Dysart to the firm. Peter joined the firm as an associate in September 2017. Prior to joining the firm, Peter served as a judicial law clerk for the Vermont Superior Court in both Lamoille and Orleans Counties. He also clerked for the Honorable Peter W. Hall on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. His practice focuses primarily on criminal and civil litigation.

Peter is a native of Burlington and earned his B.A. in 2010 from the University of Vermont. He graduated magna cum laude from Vermont Law School in 2014 where he was a Dean’s Fellow for legal writing, member of the moot court team, and managing editor on the Vermont Law Review.

Sheehey Furlong & Behm welcomes Sarah L. J. Aceves to the firm. Sarah joined the firm as an associate in September 2017. Sarah’s practice focuses on regulatory issues and transactional matters. Prior to joining the firm, Sarah represented communications-based companies in spectrum policy and wireless regulatory matters, including network neutrality, broadband privacy, spectrum allocations, and spectrum access through auctions and leasing. She also represented clients in a broad range of complex transactional matters, including mergers, sales, and acquisitions.

At National Geographic Channels, Sarah served as in-house counsel, which included routinely structuring and negotiating complex programming and development agreements, advising senior executives on key business issues, and providing guidance to internal stakeholders on risk assessment.